American TV Show Revamps

[Sarah]

On the Sundance Channel.  Or IFC.  One of those.  I suspect Sundance, since it just finished airing Big Girl's Blouse, too.

I've only seen one ad for the American version, but it looked like any other sitcom.  As well as bad.  Molly Shannon and Selma Blair are no Jane Turner and Gina Riley.

I wonder who's slotted to play Sharon.

[Gilly]

What would the accent and slang be called that you hear most often on BBC US? Is that Queen's English? I can not understand the slang for the life of me and it makes it hard to work out the accent as well.

[ughwhy]

What made the original "Life on Mars" work was the set-work and costumes.  I also get the sense that 70's culture vis-a-vis the police hasn't changed as much in the U.S. as in the U.K.  At least not here in Chicago where the cops still beat the crap out of people to get confessions and the brass are all on the take.

I think actually the reason I find the UK Life on Mars tolerable is that I know so little about 70s-era UK history that the LOLTIMETRAVEL!! jokes don't grate as quickly. Also I think John Simm is a total fox.

[pinky]

On the Sundance Channel.  Or IFC.  One of those.  I suspect Sundance, since it just finished airing Big Girl's Blouse, too.

I've only seen one ad for the American version, but it looked like any other sitcom.  As well as bad.  Molly Shannon and Selma Blair are no Jane Turner and Gina Riley.

I wonder who's slotted to play Sharon.

Andy Milonakis??

[samir]

What would the accent and slang be called that you hear most often on BBC US? Is that Queen's English? I can not understand the slang for the life of me and it makes it hard to work out the accent as well.

This is my moment to shine!
A lot of the shows on BBC America feature Estuary English - from around London and the Home Counties.
I don't watch much BBC Am, but that's my assumption.
The inner London fake-Cockney accent isn't heard outside of Guy Ritchie movies and Eastenders.
John Simm is from Manchester, I think.

[Gilly]

Does anybody else have a problem with that accent? I have to watch a lot of British movies with subtitles. They're speaking my native language...it's embarrassing.

[Sarah]

I have no problems, but I've been a fool for British fare since I was small, so I've had a lot of practice.  Only the broadest of accents--usually Scottish--give me trouble.  Ken Loach films, for example, often make me work to follow the dialogue.  But they're worth it.

[tenspeed]

Aren't Americans historically cool towards British "style" of comedy?  Might have something to do with it.  They certainly have their little cultural references and whatnot that seem hilarious to them but would go over the heads of your average American.

I have to admit, sometimes I "get" British comedy and sometimes I do not.

Yeah, I know what you mean.  I luv British comedy. My fav:

[Bryan]

I've never had much of a problem with UK accents. Some of the Scottish and Northern English accents can still be tricky for me. But your ear will improve if you stick with them.

[AllisonLeGnome]

If the volume is low, I do tend to use subtitles with things. But then again, I have trouble understanding normal American accents sometimes too. (I was listening to the commentary on a Venture Bros DVD when I was tired the other night, and the commentary wasn't sufficiently louder than the original audio and I was just getting so confused.)

[Spoony]

(I was listening to the commentary on a Venture Bros DVD when I was tired the other night, and the commentary wasn't sufficiently louder than the original audio and I was just getting so confused.)

There is nothing more frustrating then the Venture Bros commentaries. Doc and Jackson could care less about discussing the show and are obviously just entertaining themselves. This isn't a bad thing, but they are so in their own heads I actually started to feel like a third wheel listening to it... like I was evesdropping on a conversation where I would "C my way out." At home. With no one else around. And I got uncomfortable.

[AllisonLeGnome]

(I was listening to the commentary on a Venture Bros DVD when I was tired the other night, and the commentary wasn't sufficiently louder than the original audio and I was just getting so confused.)

There is nothing more frustrating then the Venture Bros commentaries. Doc and Jackson could care less about discussing the show and are obviously just entertaining themselves. This isn't a bad thing, but they are so in their own heads I actually started to feel like a third wheel listening to it... like I was evesdropping on a conversation where I would "C my way out." At home. With no one else around. And I got uncomfortable.

I kind of like it- I know what you mean about feeling like a third wheel, but I think the end result is a lot more interesting than typical commentaries that try to discuss the show when maybe there isn't really that much to say about it. Also, it's dumb but I like that I can tell their voices apart- it makes the conversation easier to follow.

[kray]

Apparently Peep Show was in the works for an Americanized version.  Thank fuck that never happened.

because the US version of the office is sooo bad.

[dave from knoxville]

Apparently Peep Show was in the works for an Americanized version.  Thank fuck that never happened.

because the US version of the office is sooo bad.

Disagreed! Me and Andy from Knoxville bond over episodes of The Office, and just laugh out loud hysterically throughout.

[Sarah]

I thought kray's response was an example of that thing known as sarcasm.